September 01, 2004

Oh la laaa....my penultimate summer project.

This summer I was into knitting cardis because, to be honest, I never wear any of the tanks I have knit for myself. Unfortunately, it's the shameful truth. But tanks are always fun to knit, so at the beginning of spring I promised myself that I could knit one tank this season on the condition that i) I will wear it, oh yes I will, and ii) it be in a neutral [read: boring] color in order to ensure compliance of condition (i). And you know what? I really like this tank so it's easy to comply with these conditions. The "halter" feel of it makes it very comfy. I've worn it twice already!

[BONUS: The tank made its debut for running errands on Saturday, and I have action shots for you: The tank peering longingly into the closed Plassard shop and the tank going grocery shopping (oh, how exciting!) at Auchan.]

As I've been somewhat slothful in getting finished tank pictures up, there are LOTS of silly whack dancing shots for you. [Note: There really was music playing in the background...the dance shots should give you an idea as to what we listened to that morning!] Clear your cache, friends:

Project details: Debardeur 4b from Phildar Famille Printemps 2004, knit in the smallest size using size 4mm needles and Plassard Grand Large Batik yarn in a subtly variegated cream color. In order to keep the free edges at the armholes neat, I used a chain selvedge (slipping all sts purlwise on the WS rows and knitting them on the RS rows). Pattern was altered in that I did not knit the ribbing using smaller needles and the neckband was knitted-on instead of sewn-on. I worked the ribbing loosely in order to give the tank some ease, because the last form-fitting tank I knit in worsted weight yarn made me sweat like Rocky during his cliche training scenes when I wore it.

*We always have fun during picture-taking time, and when my husband was taking pictures of me wearing this tank my son said he wanted to take "a picture of Mommy, too". We gave him the camera and let him take one, and SURPRISE: It came out! So we stood him on a chair and let him take another one, and - surprise again - that one came out, too. I couldn't resist including it with the rest, so I did. And you know which one it is? The "stand-still-like-a-mannequin" shot at the top of this entry. Not bad, eh? :-)

Beautiful! I have the same issue with my handknit tanks - just not wearing them as much as I thought I would. Only the tiny tanks and my white smooch tank regularly make their way out of the closet! So excellent idea to make a neutral white tank. I bet you will get a lot of wear out of it.

fantastic photos, especially the ones taken by captain. he did a great job! i can't believe you have me wanting to knit that tank now. love your alterations to the pattern. now the tank is even more fab. i plan on applying those techniques to some of my current knits. WELL DONE! It looks great on you.

I went to knitting class last night, my knitting is ALL wacked out! I am really glad I selected a different teacher this time around.. I suppose that's what I get for never having picked up a book or looked at an illustration. I learned in that first class and the teacher showed everyone at once (I am only good at learning things one on one).
Very depressing.. but I'm going to finish the toddler sweater in my twisted stiches.. the question is, should I frog moonbeam? Soooooo depressing.. I had gone so far on it :(
I still am not sure how to knit right, class flew by and I was busy picking out a hat pattern, yarn and learning how to increase properly in my twisted stiches. Bah!

Looks great! And I know what you mean about the unworn tanks. I have one from last summer that either needs surgery or a trip to Goodwill (because I don't think I am magically going to grow a longer waist). Love the side ribbing -- avoids the boxy sweater problem without making it skin tight!

As the French say, "ooh la la"! Beautiful work and I was just about to email you asking when we can get pics of you wearing the tank :o) You have me convinced that I should order this kit soon! Everything about this entry makes me wanna be a Becky-wannabe. The knits, the poses, the dancing and the whacky dog!

Totally flattering...it looks great! I like neutral colors...
You know I can never resist the whack dancing...I am just waiting for you to break out the Saturday Night Fever Moves! :) Imagine Captain doing the hussle! :)
My Pixie still loves to be in the basket in with all the groceries...I love shopping with her...glad to see you do too!
Dance Rabbit!

Great tank, girlie! I finally finished one that I will *really* wear, too. Before blogging, I always made things that I would wear. I've gotten a little crazy the past six months, but I am returning to things that are beautiful and practical. Oh, yeah, the kid is a budding photographer - wonder where he gets that?

Hi! I have been reading your blog for about a month now and I just wanted to introduce myself to you, I'm Brit. I am very impressed with all of your knitting. That tank is very cute and I can't wait to see the finished version of the cabled kimono style sweater you are making. Also, thanks are due to you and Jackie (from Jackie Blue) for inspiring me to pick up Phildar magazines! THANKS!

It's a gorgeous tank! And it shows off your shoulders so well! I really love the ribbing on this tank, that's why I want to make one too. I just finished a tank in ASC but it's way too warm to wear. I need to find yarn that's cooler! What wonderful pictures you have....love all the dancing shots, especially the one with you, your son & the dog!!! It's a tank party!

Please, please tell me how you knit the neckband on. I followed the pattern instructions, much to my chagrin, and hate the way it looks. I'll be reknitting the front anyway, as I made it too big. Your tank looks fab, darling!

Hi Becky,
As always, just FABULOUS! I am almost finished my very first K2/P2 tank top and after blocking it, I am pleased with it...I just have to have a seaming party when I return from a small trip. It should be an "into the night" party as this will be my first time seaming too...LOL
Thank you for your project photos and sharing your family with us too!

Becky, Fabu tank and posting as always! I love, love, LOVE the shot of Lucy dancing as well. The perfect snap shot of a Bichon in action.
And Elvis has definitely been reincarnated in Captain Destructo!

Becky, that tank is DEEEE-VINE. The Captain is not only cute, but oh-so-talented, what a proud mama you must be. You have great shoulders by the way. I am making myself a tank, nice a slow, so that *hopefully* by the time I finish I will have good shoulders and toned arms as well.
And, wow... you knit so fast. Sure you didn't cast a spell on some magical needles to make them knit for you, a la Mrs. Weasley?

I knew I'd see a finished tank up here soon. Just fabulous. You look great in it!
I think you are going to have a photographer of a son! Jordan used to take pretty good pics also when he was little. I guess some of them have a good eye for it. Nice job, Capt'n and Capt'n's mom!!!

What a sad picture that was....whack rabbit locked out of the crack den...um, yarn shop.
That tank seems a successful project because it is wearable AND an unusual shape/construction. I'm finding increasingly difficult to find wearable projects that are interesting to make.

Becky! I am so glad that you made that knitted tank confession. I, too, never wear any of the tanks I knit up. In fact, I swore off knitting them. Yours is wonderful and, as always, is beautifully done and looks fantasitc on you.

My 10 year old cousin is a GREAT photographer! I think we often underestimate the potential of children. Excellent work there, li'l buddy!
The tank is goh-geous! Where oh where do you get such shoulder blades?

Hi there! That white tank is just gorgeous. Thanks for the comments in my page. I would have loved to leave you a comment in french , mais je ne le parle pas.
So, I guess you are the on ly European blog I love to read, and I´m the only Latinamerican blog you know, so... We´ll be reading much from each other!
You are really an inspiration...

Becky, it's hard to believe you don't wear the tanks you make because the others (like your tube top) I've seen look good on you! This one takes the cake! It's cute and sexy at the same time, and very wearable into fall.
Captain Destructo certainly has potential. I like his angles. Does he have an interest in art also?

Thank you for such encouraging words! I always have fun reading them. Who's got the best readers??? :-)
I'm glad you enjoy the shots my little Captain took. It gave him a kick to see the pictures on the site. (He also loves to look at the dancing pictures again and again. What a funny kid!)
Whoever likes to knit tanks but rarely wears them: Consider giving this one a try. Knitting this one is fun, and it's true that it is wearable. Perfect for mid-season weather, and Theresa's right: It's great to wear under a denim jacket.
P.S. to Nicole: I don't think I was ahead of the game in knitting this one (Laëtitia's [enversendroit.canalblog.com] was the first I saw knitted up, and my neighbor friend knit the sweater version back in February), but I'll admit that I, along with my fellow French knitters, was probably among the first to see the design in the pattern book. I love having a well-stocked Phildar boutique nearby :-)

Hi Becky...the tank looks fabulous. I'm always so impressed with your finished garments. Most of the time I think they look better than the pictures in the pattern books! Really, I think you should be knitting for Phildar!